The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-04-29
MAINE METHoDIsrs.
The Annual Conference In Session at
WaterviIie.

WATEnvILLE, April 2S.-The Maine an
nual conference of the Methodist Episcopal
church met at 8 o'clock this morning in the
Pleasant street church and listened to
missionary sermon by Rev. e. S. Stackpole
from the text Second Cor. lila. The sermon
was in the form of an object session illus
trated by large maps of the world and the
theme was "The power of the gospel to con-
wort and save men wherever it is preached,
and the need of money to carry ON the
work" After the sermon the sacrament of
the Lords supper was administered, pre-
sided lover by Bishep Walden with marked
ability, assisted by presiding elders, A. W
Pattle. w. S. Jones and E. t. Adams, and
the pastor of this church, Rev. W. M. Ster-
ling. After singing SIN the cross of Christ
glory" Bishop Walden made brief but
powerful address on the power of Christ If
"He be lifted up to draw all men unto Him.
He mentioned the fact that all Methodist
conferences are now opened with this appro-
pirate service: "Christ is coming, has come
to many hearts, is coming to the islands of
the sea- is coming to resign" After the
sacrament the conference was organized and
proceeded to business. Rev. Geo. CAN
drews was chosen secretary; Rev. G. Foss,
assistant secretary; t. F. Jones, statistical
secretary; Rev. w. E. Berry, financial
secretary. 1t was voted to meet in the morn
ing at 5 o'clock.
The following are the namesfof the chair
men of the various committees
Public Worshp-A. w. Pottle.
EducatiOn-C. #. Allan.
Admission to Conference-G. f. Cobb.
Fraternal Relatons-G. ID. Lindsey.
Conference Relations-K. Atkinson.
temperance. j. Clarke.
Marriage and Divorce-W. f: Berry.
Observance of the Sabbath-W S. Mcintyre.
Bible Cause-M. f. King.
Sunday schools and Tracts-D. b. Holt
Church Extension-E. Tinker.
Freedman's Aide. e. Libby.
Domestic MssioRs-M. c. Pendexter
Church AIDE. S. Stackpole.
Memoirs-Israel Luce.
Voted, That our sessions commence at s
o'clock and close at IL, and that the first hour
of each session be devoted to prayer and
praise.
The bar of the conference was fixed and
the members were called to seats within the
prescribed line.
Voted, That all on the charges paying one
dollar or more missionary may have their
namess listed in the conference minutes.
E. S. Stackpole was added to the commit
tee on statistics.
w. A. Spencer, Assistant Secretary of the
Board of Church Extension, was introduced
and addressed the conference in behalf of
the Church Extension Society.
At this point a recess of five minutes was
ordered for passing statistics to the secre-
taries.
The conference was called to order and
the following visitors were introduced:
Messrs. Bass, from the New Hampshire
Conference. and Southland, Brown, Beal,
Osgood, Libby, Simonton and Palmer, from
the East Maine Conference.
The Bishop addressed the conference
briefly, expressing his pleasure in meeting
the conference, and spoke of the blessings
of the correctional tie that binds the annual
conferences and local churches together.
He thought the success in all our lines of
effort greater than ever before realized in
the history of the church.
Candidates for admission to the conference
and the whole roll of conference members
were by vote referred to the committee on
relations.
The record was read and approved, and
the conference adjourned with the benedic-
tion by Rev. Mr.. Randall.
| At 230 p. m. the Domestic Missionary So
ciety held its annual meeting for choice of
officers and other business coming before the
meeting.
At O'Clock the Preachers Aid Society
held its annual meeting to accept its new
charter, and to perfect new organization
under its provisions, Vice President Bisbee
| in the chair.
After prayer by Mr.. Bragdon, the records
of the last meeting were read and approved.
The treasurer's report was presented by
Treasurer c. j. Clark and accepted. The
charter was read and adopted and the So
ciety organized under its provisions by
electing
President-E Martin.
Vice President-C. f. Bisbee.
Secretary-I Luce.
| Treasurer-C. j. Clark.
Managers-G. w. Davis, S. Patterson, j. B.
Donney.
Auditor-J. B. Donnelly.
Voted, That d. B. Randall, S. F. Wether-
| bee, z. j. Clarke, l. Luce and K. s. Stack
| pole be a committee to revise the bylaws Of
the society and report at the next annual
meeting.
The annual meeting of the Conference
| Domestic Missionary Society was held this
afternoon in church, Rev. Stephen Allen,
president of the society, presiding. The
work of the past year was reported and re-
viewed, and plans for the future to meet the
increasing demands of our home work were
earnestly discussed The opinion prevails
that our funds and efforts ought to be more
concentrated on the most pressing charges.
ATT o'clock, the Church Aid Society held
a big.meeting, but adjourned to another day
At7.3o, very large congregation assem-
bled to listen to the address from DR.. Spen-
Ger, on the object and claims of the Church
| r-l.~e;n,, cnriafy